Liam Takes Manhattan

“And in the meantime,” Pia said with a pointed glance at Liam, “there will be no more animals euthanized unless medically you have no other option.”

  “Absolutely. We’re still overcrowded, but with your very generous donation, we’ll be able to hire new staff and buy enough supplies to care for all the animals we do have.”

  “Very good.” Pia smiled.

  The other woman gave Liam a curious glance, but other than that, she didn’t comment on his presence. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I have a lot to attend to before we close this evening.”

  “Please, go do what you need to do,” Pia told her. “I can see myself out.”

  “Merry Christmas,” Eileen said, smiling at both of them.

  “Merry Christmas,” Pia and Liam replied together.

  As soon as the other woman walked out of the room, Pia turned to look at Liam and the puppy.

  “Your father texted to say he couldn’t get free, but he’s definitely going to be done by this evening, and he’s taking tomorrow off so that we can travel back home. We’ve got to get ready for Isalynn Lefevre’s niece to visit from the witches demesne in mid January. Then our part in that damn diplomatic pact made in DC two months ago will be done.” Her smile turned indulgent. “That puppy is so darn cute, I can hardly stand it. She looks like a baby wolf, but I can’t imagine the shelter would have let wolf mixed breeds be available for general adoption.”

  Liam listened with only half his attention. ‘Have a little faith’, the strange woman who was probably not a goddess had said. Still, it was good advice.

  He bent his head over the sleeping puppy. “I want her.”

  “Aw.” Pia’s voice softened sympathetically. “It’s hard to let go when puppy lust takes hold, isn’t it?”

  “No, you don’t understand,” Liam said, looking up at his mom. “I really want her.”

  Pia’s expression changed. “But honey—you’re going to college. Aren’t you? You were so adamant about Glenhaven yesterday.”

  “Oh, I’m still going if they’ll have me.” Smiling down at the dog, he stroked her small back. “I want to take the puppy with me. It will mean I can’t stay in any dorms.… But you know, after thinking about it, I don’t think I want to stay in a dorm anyway. I’m going to have to be on guard all the time about who I am and what my Wyr form is, and I think I really need to have a space where I can have some privacy to unwind.” He added, “That is, if I can get in for the next term.”

  He was trying to have a little faith, but at the moment, that didn’t take away any of his uncertainty.

  Shifting her weight back onto one foot, Pia tilted her jaw as she thought about it. “You make a really good point about needing privacy,” she said slowly. “I don’t think any of us had gotten that far in our thinking yesterday. And I like the idea of you having a pet with you. It’s really hard for me to think about you being off at school alone and cut off from us.”

  “There, you see,” he crooned at his puppy.

  “But Liam, she’s going to be a lot of work. You’ll have to potty train her, make sure she gets all her shots, and she will restrict your social life. You’ll always be running home to let her out at lunchtime, and you might not get a full night’s sleep for a couple of months. And there’s other training to consider. By the size of those paws, she’s going to grow up to be a big dog. You’ll need to make sure she’s well behaved.”

  “I don’t need a lot of sleep,” he told her. Bending farther, he pressed a kiss to the puppy’s soft, furry head. “And I’ll potty train her, and train her to be good, and I’ll spend lunchtimes with her too. I want her badly enough, I’ll do whatever I have to in order to keep her. Okay?”

  His mom took a deep breath. “Well,” she said. “I think that’s all any of us could ask you to do. As long as you’re sure.”

  “I’m sure.” He grinned at her.

  She grinned back at him. “Holy smokes, my son is going off to college, and I’m only twenty six years old.”

  “Well, we think so,” he stressed. “I hope so.”

  “Pfft!” She waved that aside. “And you’re getting a dog too! Oh my God, we have so much stuff we need to buy. And we need to buy it right now, before the stores close for the night. What does a baby dog need? I have no idea.”

  “A bed, and a crate, and chew toys, and a collar and leash,” he said. “Really good dog food. The best.”

  She stared at him. “She’s going to piddle everywhere, and the penthouse is seventy-nine floors away from ground level. How do people have puppies in high-rise apartments? Somehow, they do.”

  While she spoke, the glass door opened again, and Eva strolled through. The other woman took one look at the puppy snoring in Liam’s arms and started to laugh.

  “You know what to do for living with a puppy in a high-rise apartment, don’t you?” Liam asked her, giving his best coaxing smile.

  Eva snorted. “Are you joking? You’re not, are you? You’re really going to adopt that dog? Okay, well, as long as you’re staying in the penthouse, you’re going to want pee pads and a grass litter box that you can set up on the balcony. There’s plenty of room out there, so you can even tuck it out of sight if you want.”

  “A grass litter box?” Pia said cautiously.

  “It’s a square of real turf or artificial turf in a big fancy box with a sprinkler system and a drainage option,” Eva told her. She paused. “Since it’s the dead of winter right now, you’ll obviously want to get the artificial turf.”

  Liam turned to his mom. “Do we need to get that if we’re going home tomorrow anyway?”

  “Yes,” she said firmly. “You never know when we might need to come back to the city, and as long as you have that puppy, it will be good to have on hand.”

  “Perfect,” Liam said with satisfaction. Happiness buoyed his spirits so that he laughed with joy.

  “What are you going to name her?” Eva asked with a grin.

  “I haven’t decided yet.” The puppy lay like a dead weight in his arms, her body lax in complete trust. “I was thinking of naming her Marika, or maybe Rika for short.”

  Pia raised her eyebrows. “After that little Dark Fae girl you went to school with in first grade?”

  “Yup.” He rubbed the puppy’s round belly. “I have a feeling she’s going to be just as fierce as Marika was.”

  “I like it,” Pia declared. “It’s a good name. Come on, we’ve got a lot to do. Let’s get you through the adoption process, so we can pick up everything we need.”

  Liam reminded her, “You’ll have to adopt her. Officially, I mean. Liam’s too young, remember?”

  Pia threw up her hands. “Oy vey.”

  Later that evening, everything was done. All the supplies had been bought and delivered, and Liam had even set up the fancy grass litter box out on the balcony.

  Eva had been right. There was plenty of room for Liam to tuck the large litter box out of sight, at least from the living room, and also against one of the concrete support pylons so that it was somewhat sheltered from the winter wind.

  He was sprawled on the floor, playing tug of war with Rika while Pia cooked dinner, when his dad strode into the penthouse.

  When Dragos laid eyes on Liam and the puppy, he stopped dead. His entrance got Rika’s attention. The puppy turned to consider him, head cocked.

  Then with a playful bark, she bounced across the room to attack one of Dragos’s shoes.

  Dragos cocked his head and gave Liam such an expressive look, he burst out laughing. “Mom!” he shouted. “Did you by any chance forget to tell Dad that we were bringing a puppy home?”

  Something clattered in the kitchen. Pia said, “Damn it. Yes.”

  “Stop it,” Dragos told the dog.

  Growling, Rika tugged at his shoelace then sat to chew on one end. Bending, Dragos picked her up by the scruff of the neck and lifted her until she was at eye level. He told the puppy, “I said stop.”

  In answer, she yipped and wriggled, and tried to b
ite at his fingers.

  Dragos carried her over to Liam and deposited her in his lap. “I’m sure there is a perfectly reasonable story attached to this.”

  “Absolutely,” Liam said.

  “And what about Glenhaven?” Dragos asked, one eyebrow up.

  “I’m going to take her with me—if I get in. I guess we’ll know one way or another, soon enough.” He stroked Rika then set her on the floor. She promptly ran over to Dragos to bite at his shoelace again. Laughing, Liam lunged after her to scoop her up. “Sorry. I’ll take her out.”

  “I’ll just go make sure all the closet doors are closed.” Dragos strode down the hall.

  Liam carried Rika out onto the balcony and set her on the fake turf in the litter box. With a gigantic effort, she jumped off the box and raced around the balcony. He went after her and set her on the litter box. Happily she jumped off again. She loved the litter box game.

  Somehow, it would all work out, he told himself for the thousandth time.

  If he got into Glenhaven.

  Realistically, it might take weeks before he knew anything. Waiting to hear one way or another was going to kill him.

  His phone rang in his jeans pocket. Digging it out while he set Rika on the litter box again, he checked the number. The call wasn’t from any number he recognized. He thumbed the answer button and said, “Hello?”

  “Good evening, is this Liam Giovanni?” a pleasant male voice asked.

  In a Scottish accent.

  Surprise pounded in his ears. Clearing his throat, he replied, “Yes, it is. Who’s calling?”

  “My name is Ian Killian. I’m a representative of Glenhaven College. Is this a good time to talk?”

  “Sure,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting to hear from you. At least, I mean, not so quickly, and it’s Christmas Eve.”

  “Ach, Christmas Eve,” Killian said in a tone that clearly dismissed such human things. “I had traveled to New York for the Masque, and I was about to leave for home again when I received an email from the dean with your application attached. I know this is short notice, but my flight leaves for Edinburgh tomorrow evening—would you by any chance have time to meet in person in the morning?”

  “A-absolutely,” he stuttered, while he fist pumped and leaped into the air, making Rika fall over from surprise. She bounded to her feet and barked at him.

  “When and where would you like to meet?” Killian asked briskly.

  Cupping his phone to shield the microphone from the puppy’s barking, he tried to think. “Since tomorrow’s Christmas, there’s actually not going to be much open,” he said slowly. Dare he suggest it? “How about the Starbucks in Cuelebre Tower? The Tower is centrally located, and that Starbucks never closes.”

  “A sensible suggestion,” Killian told him. “Let’s say nine o’clock? It shouldna take long, just a half an hour or so.”

  “Sure,” he said. “That would be great. Thank you.”

  “All right, I’ll see you then.”

  Quickly, before the older male could hang up, Liam said, “Wait—Do you mind me asking what to expect tomorrow?”

  “Not at all,” Killian replied. “Your application looks quite impressive, young man. I’ll just be wanting to verify some of the details. Perhaps you can show me a touch of your talents. If everything looks to be in order, I’ll be submitting your request for a scholarship to the finance committee.”

  That sounded like it could be a lengthy process. He frowned. “How long will that take?”

  “Scholarship students are fully funded, which is an expensive process, so the committee might not approve your application for another six months to a year.”

  His lips tightened. Rika was starting to shiver, so he scooped her up and tucked her inside his sweater, where she snuggled against his chest and promptly fell asleep.

  He said, “What if I told you I’ve come up with financing on my own, so I won’t be needing a scholarship after all?”

  “Ach, well, that changes things completely,” Killian said.

  “Do you think my application might be approved in time for me to start the next term? I mean, if there’s room for Glenhaven to take me.”

  “Young man, I can approve your application when I meet you tomorrow. As long as everything is in order, of course. And yes, there’s room for you to start this next term, if you can be ready by then, and you don’t mind being flexible on what kind of housing you get. If your financing is enough to allow you to get your own apartment, you should be fine. The new term begins on January fifteenth, so that isn’t much time for you to prepare. But we can talk all about that tomorrow morning, so be sure to come with a list of your questions.”

  Excitement pounded through his body. He could hardly believe it, but it sounded like everything really would fall into place. “Yes—yes, I will. Thank you so much, Mr. Killian!”

  “You’re welcome, Mr. Giovanni. See you in the morning.”

  As Killian disconnected, Liam let out a loud whoop. Rika was sound asleep by that point and never stirred, but Dragos and Pia strode quickly into the living room, drawn by the noise.

  He rushed inside and waved his phone at them. “That was a representative from Glenhaven College! He wants to meet me tomorrow morning!”

  “You’re kidding,” Pia said faintly. “Already?”

  “He said he came to New York for the Masque, so he’s already here. The dean forwarded my application to him, and his flight leaves tomorrow evening, so we’re meeting in the morning! The next term starts January fifteenth, so it’s not quite as soon as I was afraid it would be. And if I can afford an apartment, he said there would be space for me!”

  His dad and mom gave each other a long look. It was complicated, that look, filled with a lot of things Liam didn’t know how to categorize. Wryness was there, and a touch of sadness, along with pride and acceptance.

  “Kids these days,” Dragos said quietly. “They grow up so fast.”

  “Supersonic fast,” Pia said just as quietly. She laid a hand on her flat abdomen. “I guess we need to fasten our seat belts, because we’re about to go through it all again.”

  It touched Liam’s heart, how much they loved him. “Come on,” he said gently. “Be happy for me.”

  Immediately, Pia strode over to throw her arms around him and hug him, puppy and all. “I am so happy for you,” she told him. “And so proud of you, I don’t know what to do with myself. I’m not going to lie to you, Liam—I just hate the thought of Glenhaven closing its doors for an entire term. But I understand why you need this, and I’m behind you every step of the way.”

  Dragos strode over and clapped him on the shoulder. “Good job. I’m proud of you too.”

  “Well,” he felt compelled to say, “I’m not in quite yet.”

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake, pfft,” Pia said, brushing his caution aside with a wave of her hand. “You’re in.”

  “I think this calls for a toast,” Dragos said. He looked into Liam’s eyes with a smile. “How about a glass of champagne?”

  Liam perked up. He wondered if he would like champagne. He knew he would like finding that out. “Hell yeah.”

  Pia’s eyes sparkled. “Dinner’s in the oven, so while we drink champagne and the puppy sleeps, I think we should open a few presents.”

  Liam nodded. “I second that idea.”

  While Dragos and Pia left to collect a chilled bottle of champagne and three flutes, Liam pulled Rika out from underneath his sweater and carefully settled her on her new dog bed. She was so sound asleep, she never noticed a thing.

  “You need to crate her tonight,” Pia said as she came back into the room carrying the champagne flutes. “She needs to get used to sleeping in her own bed, even if she cries a bit at first.”

  He nodded. Probably so. But he had a feeling he would let her out of the crate and let her sleep with him.

  Dragos strolled back into the room, a bottle of champagne in one hand. Pia and Liam watched as he opened it and poured the fr
othing golden drink into the flutes. When he was done, Pia handed the flutes around, and then she raised hers in the air.

  “To family,” she said. “We can get through anything together. Even arguments and really weird stuff. Merry Christmas, guys. I love you with all my heart.”

  They clinked glasses, and Liam tasted champagne for the first time. He said, “Oh God. Oh damn.”

  Dragos and Pia laughed, and Dragos asked, “Is that good or bad?”

  “It’s very, very good.” He took another sip and savored the flavor. He said fervently, “I love taste buds.”

  Dragos held his flute up for another toast. As Pia and Liam joined him, he looked at Liam and smiled.

  Dragos said, “To your future, son. May it always be bright, and may you find your way home again when you’re ready.”

  They clinked glasses again. Thinking of the golden woman, Liam asked, “Even if it is filled with really weird stuff?”

  His parents laughed.

  “Even then,” Dragos replied.

  Pia had the final word on that toast, as she added, “Especially then.”

  Happy Holidays

  Love, Thea

  Thank you!

  Dear Readers,

  Thank you for reading my short story Liam Takes Manhattan. Dragos, Pia and Liam Cuelebre are some of my favorite characters, and I’m delighted to share this new story with you. I hope you have as much fun visiting with them as I did!

  Would you like to stay in touch and hear about new releases? You can:

  • Sign up for my monthly newsletter at: www.theaharrison.com

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  Reviews help other readers find the books they like to read. I appreciate each and every review, whether positive or negative.

  Liam Takes Manhattan is the third story in a three-story arc featuring Dragos, Pia and their son Liam. The first story is Dragos Goes to Washington (released October 12, 2015), and the second is Pia Takes Hollywood (released December November 17, 2015). While each story is written so that it can be enjoyed individually, the reading experience will be stronger if you enjoy all three in order.